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Daniel Estanislao III and Manuel Balce III hacked out a pair of thrilling three-setters over their top-seeded rivals to rule their respective divisions while Chloe Mae Saraza stamped her class in the girls side in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis at the Brookside Hills Tennis Club in Cainta, Rizal last Monday.The fifth-ranked Estanislao, from Baesa Seventh Day Adventist, recovered from a close second set defeat to upend No. 1 Miguel Vicencio, 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3, and snare the boys’ 12-and-under crown. ... More »Estanislao, Balce top A-G tilt

Two airplane catastrophes put Malaysia on the map in a bad way in 2014. For the past decade, Malaysia has run an elaborate campaign to market itself abroad as an ideal Asian destination, touting a multiethnic culture, lush rainforests and pristine beaches. Despite the effort to internationalize, its tourism industry still relies heavily on tightly-packed neighboring Singapore and in a renewed push the government had designated 2014 as “Visit Malaysia Year.'' So when Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing with 239 people on board en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, it put the global spotlight on Malaysia and seemingly dealt a blow to its tourism strategy. A double whammy came four months later when a Malaysia Airlines jet was shot down over rebel-held eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. More »Tourism thrives in Malaysia despite association with tragedy

The Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team is hoping to re-stamp its class when it faces Sri Lanka in the Asia Oceania Zone Group II tie on March 6 to 8 at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City. Aside from the so-called “homecourt advantage,” PH team Coach Karl Santamaria yesterday said the experience gained by his wards from playing in the international arena bodes well to their campaign as they aim to return to the elite Group I for the first time since 2011. More »PH bets eye repeat vs Lankans

A solar-powered plane made a third successful test flight in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday ahead of a planned round-the-world tour to promote alternative energy. Organizers hope that Solar Impulse 2 may head off around the globe as early as Saturday but caution that the launch is dependent on the weather, even in the relatively cloudless Gulf. The hour-long test flight was the plane's third from the UAE capital Abu Dhabi's small Al-Bateen airport, but the first for Solar Impulse chairman Bertrand Piccard, the descendant of a family of Swiss scientist-adventurers. More »Solar plane passes new test ahead of planned world tour

Canberra – The search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 cannot go on forever, Australia's deputy prime minister said, and discussions are already under way between Australia, China and Malaysia as to whether to call off the hunt within weeks. The search of a rugged 60,000 sq km (23,000 sq mile) patch of sea floor some 1,600 km (1,000 miles) west of the Australian city of Perth, which experts believe is the plane's most likely resting place, will likely be finished by May. Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss told Reuters that a decision would have to be taken well before then as to whether to continue into the vast 1.1 million sq km area around the primary search zone if nothing has been found. "For many of the families onboard, they won't have closure unless they have certain knowledge that the aircraft has been located and perhaps their loved ones' remains have been recovered," Truss said in an interview. More »Australia hints hunt for missing MH370 jet may be called off soon

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has clinched top honors at the 2015 Aviation 100 Awards, organized by Airline Economics magazine. The prestigious awards are voted for by the industry and recognize outstanding achievement in the aerospace sector, with Etihad Airways claiming the coveted “Airline of the Year” title. Last year, Etihad Airways also revealed a brand-new look with new livery, uniforms and onboard offerings, with its first-of-kind “Residence by Etihad”™ concept changing the face of luxury commercial air travel. The Aviation 100 awards join a growing list of acclaimed international accolades won by Etihad Airways – testament to the airline’s unprecedented scale of achievement since launching in 2003. More »Etihad Airways named ‘Airline of the Year’

Administration and opposition officials got together on Monday in this capital city to embark on a P100-million educational project which will benefit thousands of needy schoolchildren in the area. Cavite Third District Rep. Alex L. Advincula brokered for the meeting between Gov. Jonvic Remulla and Imus Mayor Emmanuel L. Maliksi and the administration officials at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new school building in Barangay Anabu II-A neighborhood, the first of five schools that will be put up in the city under a two-year program. More »Cavite bigwigs unite for P100-M education project

VG REVILLA TAKES MONTH-LONG LEAVETrece Martires, Cavite — Actor and Cavite Vice Governor Ramon “Jolo” B. Revilla III (real name: Jose Lorenzo Bautista) is taking a one-month leave at the capitol to rest and allow his wound to recuperate, a source said. The regular sessions and other legislative functions would be led for the meantime by Fourth District Board Member Teofilo B. Lara in the absence of Revilla. ... More »Luzon Newsbits for March 4, 2015

Airbus Group took a charge of 551 million euros ($618 million) due to the latest delays to the A400M military transporter and juggled production on its most popular jetliners as it posted stronger-than-expected annual results on Friday. The world's second-largest aerospace group after Boeing said it would cut production of its A330 wide-body jet to six a month from the first quarter of 2016 as it also ramps up production of its top-selling A320 family. Airbus had already announced plans to cut the production rate of the A330 to nine a month from the fourth quarter of this year as it moves to the new A330neo. Airbus confirmed, however, that it would increase production for the A320 single-aisle family to a new record of 50 aircraft per month from the first quarter of 2017 as planemakers face record demand for medium-haul planes. More »Airbus takes new A400M hit, juggles jetliner output

On a rebound after being substantially hit by the worst oil-spill disaster to hit the country, Guimaras province’s seaweed industry will be given a further shot of adrenalin with the Guimaras Seaweed Production and Marketing (GSPM) Project with a P19 million fund from the World Bank. The GSPM is expected to benefit over 400 seaweed growers in four coastal municipalities on this island province, namely Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo, and Sibunag. “This project aims to improve technical assistance in terms of seaweed production, post-harvest and marketing,” explained May Ann Grajo, Western Visayas Regional Coordinator for Investments for Rural Enterprises and Agricultural and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) of the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP). The GSPM is expected to generate additional employment for women and out-of school youth in Guimaras. More »P19-M World Bank-funded project boosts Guimaras seaweed industry

Despite the silence of Mayon Volcano these days, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) here warned the public yesterday not to be complacent because the possibility of an eruption still exists. Phivolcs resident volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta told the Manila Bulletin that even though they had lowered the alert level from 3 to 2 on Dec. 19, 2014, the possibility of an eruption is still there. He said that in the three parameters they were monitoring, only the seismic record and gas emissions had returned to normal, but the geodetic measurement is too high, which means the base of Mayon Volcano is swelling. Laguerta explained that this means the baseline inflation measurement of Mayon Volcano since its last eruption in 2010 has doubled. More »Mayon eruption threat still exists – Phivolcs

‘MEDALYA NG PAPURI’ Butuan City – Two officials of Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13) received on Monday the “Medalya Ng Papuri” for their exemplary accomplishments in the all-out fight against illegal drugs. The recipients of the medals were Chief Insp. Ignacio M. Gamba of the 13th Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (13 RCIDU) and Deputy Chief and Sr. Insp. Regino L. Precioso, station commander of the Metro Butuan City Police Station 4, Barangay Ampayon here. ... More »Mindanao Newsbits for March 4, 2015

An avalanche of major awards and recognition is now cascading to the province of Bulacan amid the recall move against Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado. Yesterday, the governor said the Department of the Interior and Local Government has bestowed on the Provincial Government the “Seal of Sound Financial Management and Seal of Good Housekeeping on Transparency and Accountability.” He said this award shows that the provincial government is being recognized for its no-nonsense and effective management of salient programs compliant to the full disclosure and transparency policy on Local Government Units by the DILG. More »Bulacan wins DILG, agri awards

Lamitan City, Basilan - Government forces have thwarted a bombing plot of the Abu Sayyaf’s Urban Terrorist Group (UTG) in this city, a military official disclosed Tuesday.Lt. Col. Glen Villaflor, Army’s 4th Special Forces Battalion commander, said this came about after the troops recovered bomb-making materials following a five-minute clash with UTG members.Villaflor said the troops from the 19th Special Forces Company, led by Capt. Geralfredo Andal, clashed with four UTG members, led by Edris Sampang, while on security patrol around 3 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Kulay Bato, this city. ... More »Troops thwart Lamitan bombing

A top official of the Visayas Electric Company (Veco) the largest power distribution firm in the Visayas, said that while oil prices are still at relatively low levels, these will not easily translate to lower power cost. “The oil price slump has only a slight impact because in the case of Veco, for example, the oil-based component in the power generation rate is only 3.5 percent of the total electric bill,” said Veco Chief Operating Officer Sebastian Lacson, who made a presentation before members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) during the latter’s general membership meeting recently. More »Oil price dip to have minimal power rate impact – Veco

They also arrested four persons and confiscated the cargo truck. Joel Tuttuh said policemen intercepted a truck load of ukay-ukay at a checkpoint at the village of Sangali along the MCLL highway in this city last Wednesday night. Policemen also arrested the driver Eduardo Alvarez, 46. The cargo truck, with plate number RNK 471, reportedly belongs to a certain Marife Ibrahim. More »Cops intercept ‘ukay-ukay’ entering Zambo City

San Fernando City, La Union — A freelance model, 21-year-old Alessandra Casimiro from Agoo town was crowned “Mutia ti La Union” at Tuesday night’s pageant, here, in celebration of the province’s 165th foundation anniversary.Casimiro, a B.S. Arts major in Psychology and former “Sangguniang Kabataan” chairwoman in her native place San Jose City, Nueva Ecija before moving to Barangay Nazareno in Agoo, bested 19 other contestants for the crown.Showbiz personalities Tom Rodriguez and Iya Vilania hosted the pageant. ... More »Miss Agoo crowned ‘Mutia ti La Union’ for 4th straight year

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron yesterday questioned the decision of the election officer in the province to end the period of verification of signatures in the recall petition against him. Bayron believes it was an attempt to railroad the recall election filed against him by Alroben Goh, a former city information officer of Puerto Princesa. “This is an obvious attempt to railroad the implementation of a sham recall election that was already exposed to contain thousands of fraudulent signatures including signatures of dead people,” he said in a statement. “There remains a total of 3,409 signatures that have yet to be verified, but the election officer assigned to this petition abruptly ended the verification process without offering any justification at all. More »Mayor Bayron questions recall process against him

After months of hiding in this town, a 58-year-old father, who is wanted for three counts of rape, finally fell into the hands of the law Monday night. Albert Sumampong was arrested by authorities after he allegedly stabbed his younger brother Monday night. It was the younger brother who told the police that Albert is wanted in Zamboanga del Sur. Argao Police Station chief, Senior Inspector Alejandro Batobalonos, said their counterpart in Zamboanga del Sur was contacted and the latter confirmed that Albert has a pending warrant of arrest for allegedly raping his three daughters. More »Rapist father nabbed in Cebu

PUSHING FOR FEDERALISM IN ILOILO Iloilo City – Students and faculty recently filled up the West Visayas State University (WVSU)’s Cultural Center here to listen to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte push for federalism. Discussions on that system of government, which the popular Davao mayor is advocating for, is being debated in relation with the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The proposed measure has been snagged after the bloody incident in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25. The SAF forces were able to neutralize Zulkifli bin Hir a.k.a. ... More »Visayas Newsbits for March 4, 2015

As smoke cleared from the raging conflicts in Pikit, North Cotabato these past weeks, the Japanese embassy announced it would build two “schools of peace” in the area to enable children frequently displaced by armed skirmishes to access modern education. In a statement, Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa said his government has allocated P2.5-million for the immediate construction of the buildings for enrollees of Datu Bitol Mangansakan Memorial High School and Mapagkaya Primary School in Pikit. More »Japan to build 2 ‘schools of peace’ in conflict-torn Cotabato town

A Mindanao lawmaker has filed a bill seeking to declare February 1 as National Hijab Day even as she chided “some universities” in the country for barring female Muslim students from wearing the head veil. Anak Mindanao Partylist Rep. Sitti Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman filed Hosue Bill No. 5443, declaring the National Hijab Day in a bid to raise awareness of hijab wearing among Muslim women and put an end to discrimination against them. Hataman, wife of ARMM Governor Mujib Hataman, stressed that celebration of the National Hijab day was also expected to foster deeper respect and understanding among and between Filipinos of varying cultures and faith, and promote national unity and peace. The lady solon lamented that wearing of hijab has brought a number of misconceptions against Muslim women, with some unfairly labelled as “terrorists.” “Hijab,” as defined under the bill, is a veil that covers the head and chest, which is particularly worn by a Muslim female beyond the age of puberty in the presence of adult males outside of their immediate family. More »Solon wants more awareness for wearing of Muslim veil

Residents and tourists at the “Paradise Island” of Siargao, an island of Surigao del Norte province in Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean, were shaken anew when two earthquake struck early this morning that again raised fears of a tsunami. Initial report received from the Surigao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said no one was hurt and no damage to property or infrastructure was recorded in the province, particularly at Paradise Island. More »Tremors hit Siargao anew

A United States national and his Filipino girlfriend from Siaton, Negros Oriental, who were missing at sea along with four other male companions, were found dead over the weekend in Barangay Mangsee, Balabac in Palawan. A report from the Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial office of Negros Oriental confirmed that the two cadavers that were found on board a motor boat at the seashore of Brgy. Mangsee, Balabac were those of Bradley Jay Fugate, 44 years old, of California, U.S.A., and Cristina Tamondog Andig, 19, of Brgy. More »American, girlfriend, found dead in Palawan

Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)2 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU (men’s finals)4 p.m. – NU vs La Salle (women’s stepladder)Reigning champion National University (NU) and Ateneo start their men’s championship series today while La Salle eyes another title duel with Ateneo in women’s side of the UAAP volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.The Bulldogs and the Eagles clash in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series at 2 p.m.Through the power plays of Peter Torres and Reuben Inaudito, the Bulldogs swept the Eagles in their title series last year. ... More »NU tossers in crucial matches today